Gardening implement



Filed May 16, 1958 Andrew/1f 'aya magg/www ATTORN EYS VWM? Patented Dec.19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to gardening implements, and its general objectis to provide a hoe that is capable of being subjected to great strain,without fear of damage to the blade adjacent to the handle socket meansor breakage or disconnection of the socket means from the blade, in thatthe blade is formed to provide a reinforced pocket to t and partiallysurround the socket means which in the present instance is a sleevewelded within the pocket in a manner to reinforce the connectionthereof, so regardless of the direction of the straining action on theblade, the possibility of damage, breakage or separation is reduced to aminimum.

A further object is to provide a hoe of the character set forth, that issimple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremelyeihcient in use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing andspecically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the hoe which forms thesubject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken therethrough.

Figure 3 is a perspective vview of the socket sleeve.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear View.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 5 5 of Figure4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral l indicatesthe blade which as shown is substantially of the conventionalrectangular shape, for the major portion of its area, in that it isrelatively wide and has rounded upper corners, straight side edges and abeveled lower edge. The side edges of the blade may likewise be beveled,with the bevel of one side edge opposed to that of the other, while thebevel of the lower edge of the blade is on the front face thereof andinclined inwardly toward the rear face, as best shown in Figure 2.

In the formation of the blade, the upper portion thereof is stamped orpressed to provide from adjacent the center to the upper portion,reinforcing ribs gradually increasing in width from their lower to theirupper ends and arranged in corrugated formation, as best shown in Figure5, there being a relatively long center rib 2 and side ribs 3 whichradiate in diverging relation from adjacent the lower end of the centerrib 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

The blade is further stamped at the upper portion of the ribs to providean elongated channel pocket 4 that is relatively deep and oftransversely curved formation. The pocket portion extends from the frontface of the blade and rearwardly thereof for a considerable distance,and the upper ends .of the pocket portion are rounded downwardly fromtheir front to the rear ends thereof, as best shown in Figure 2.

Mounted in the pocket is a sleeve 5 providing a socket for the handle 6,and it will be noted that the pocket is not only shaped to follow thecurvature of the sleeve 5, but fits the sleeve and is of a width topartially surround the same.

The sleeve is Xed in the pocket by Welding the same therein, as at l and8, and from Figure 2, it will be noted that the pocket portion is curvedrearwardly as at 9, with the sleeve extending forwardly beyond thecurved portion to provide a recess for receiving the welded material 1,while the welded material 8 is disposed between the sleeve and the rearend of the pocket portion.

The forward end of the sleeve terminates rearwardly of the front face ofthe blade, and the handle is secured in the socket provided by thesleeve by a pin Ill, inv the form as shown. The sleeve is preferablytapered inwardly toward its rear end to set up a wedging action with thehandle, for cooperation with the pin l0 for securing the handle therein,as will be apparent.

It will be further noted that the pocket portion is arranged at an acuteangle with respect to the blade, so that the latter extends at arearward inclination therefrom, so that the handle will be positioned atthe proper angle, to facilitate the use of the hoe.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction andin the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided thatsuch changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A garden hoe comprising a relatively wide blade of substantiallyrectangular formation and having rounded upper corners and a beveledlower edge, a transversely curved portion formed on 10 center rib andupon opposite sides thereof, said ribs increasing in width from theirlower to their upper ends and merging into the pocket portion in curvedformation, a sleeve Welded in the pocket and extending forwardlytherefrom to provide a recess at the juncture of the ribs with thepocket portion to receive the welding material, said sleeve providing ahandle socket, and a handle secured in said sleeve.

ANDREW M. GUYNN.

